It’s important when choosing a range hood that fits your home to consider a variety of aspects, including how much room you have to work within your kitchen, the type of range hood you want, how you cook and more.
Kitchen Layout and Size
First, consider what will fit in your space—and where—before selecting the type of range hood model. Typically, you can expect to see 30-inch kitchen range hoods, though they also typically come in widths of 36 or 42 inches.
NOTE: The actual size of your range hood may be a fraction of an inch smaller than the model specifications to allow it to fit for installation.
Bigger is not always better, but when choosing a size, note that your range hood should typically be the same width or several inches wider than your cooktop to work most effectively. (This varies by type of range hood.)
That being said, certain types of range hoods will fit into your kitchen better than others. If you have cabinetry above your stove, a wall-mounted range hood may not fit. Alternatively, an island range hood may take up too much space or attention in the middle of your kitchen. If you need a ducted range hood, you’ll need to be able to attach it to an exterior wall to filter exhaust outside.
Ducted vs. Ductless
Kitchen ranges come in three vent types: ducted, ductless or convertible.
Most common are ducted range hoods, located on an exterior wall to allow the fan to exhaust kitchen air outside.
Ductless range hoods will have reduced air movement when compared to ducted models, but they still offer important benefits. They can filter smoke, grease, oil and other contaminants before recirculating the air throughout your kitchen. Ductless hoods do not filter contaminants outside, but some models may include an optional carbon filter to reduce odor in recirculating air.
A convertible model can be used either way; they can be connected to an exhaust duct or recirculate air with a filter. Their best benefit is sound reduction: Their fan motor in the exhaust vent line is remote, located outdoors or in the attic, making them a great option for those who prefer less noise in the kitchen.
Cooking Style
If your kitchen is large and you frequently cook with high heat, you’ll need a range hood with a greater airflow capacity (600 CFM or greater). The higher the CFM rating, the greater the fan noise will likely be.
Most range hoods also offer a variety of fan speeds and should come with at least two options: a high-speed setting for when actively cooking and a lower and more quiet speed to ventilate the room when the heat is off. If there are more than three fan speeds, the range hood should have a switch that easily allows the user to set the fan to any speed needed.
Additionally, some range hoods may include an exhaust timer, which automatically turns off the fan after a predetermined amount of time.
Other Features
You’ll also want to look at filter options for your range hood. The main types are stainless steel baffle, aluminum mesh or charcoal. At a minimum, it is recommended to wash or replace your filter every three months, but if you cook frequently, you may want to do so more often to keep your range hood performing at its best.
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